The end of the year always allows time for me to reflect on my life—the events of the current year and those of past years. Those who know me well know that I no longer create a list of resolutions for the upcoming year. God instructed me several years ago to stop creating a list that would ultimately cause me to become discouraged when I could not achieve everything on the list. (My lists were extensive!) I would become slightly depressed when I realized a whole year had gone by and I didn’t complete the list that I had made. Notice, I said the list that I had made, because in the past, I didn’t really seek God as I made the list. My lists were full of positive goals and great aspirations, they just weren’t necessarily for me at that time and definitely not where I was going to need to focus my energy. How many of you can relate to that?
God began to teach me that He would empower me to accomplish all the things that He had planned for me in the year to come—and He even promised to guide my actual steps to do what He was calling me to do. So, instead of a list of New Year’s resolutions, God instructed me to write a list of the blessings I received and experienced throughout the current year; it’s my gratitude list. And each year, I am blown away by just how much God has moved on my behalf and how He has left nothing to chance concerning me. I am so grateful to God! And I really enjoy creating the list. I encourage you to take some time and actually write a list of the blessings you received in 2019.
Sisters, if you choose to write resolutions, seek God first so that you can focus your energy where it needs to be. And for those who may inevitably choose to focus on some challenges 2019 has brought, you are still here, God is still moving, and if you have faith to believe that God has the final say, you will soar to heights you never imagined!
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Wishing you continued blessings in 2020! Happy New Year, Sisters!
The Manna Chef 